We love the architecture here; lots of stone and brickwork in the buildings. (This was one of the buildings at the Reynolda Village, a little "sweet chocolate shop" that unfortunately was closed when we visited there. It was a former dairy farm that has since been remodeled and now is a group of shops.)
After visiting the Reynolda Park, Gardens and Village, we drove to old town Salem. The Moravians first settled in this area and their influence in still felt in the city today. They lived a very simple and sacred lifestyle. Today, there is still a women's college located in Old Salem, founded by the Moravians. This building is part of the womens' college.
Located behind the school, the downtown village, and the church office buildings is this cemetery. Each grave is adorned with only a simple headstone (name, date of birth and death, and a short and simple verse).
The placard at the cemetery entrance told us that the "brethren" and "sisters" were buried as they sat in church--men on one side and women on the other. And that is precisely what we discovered when we walked thru the cemetery looking at headstones and dates--all the men were buried closer to the entrance and the womens' graves were about halfway down.
Row upon row, the graves stretch on. But each year, just before Easter, a flower is placed on each grave, turning the graveyard into a garden of blossoms for the annual Easter sunrise service.
More of the buildings in the Moravian village in Old Salem.
A bread shop, complete with the large "oven" for baking bread.
Just across the street, in sharp contrast to the simple Moravian houses, was this huge southern mansion.
We had a great day of exploration and fun!
That evening, we were treated to a delicious supper cooked by our host and hostess!
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